Food banks across Canada have experienced a rise in demand due to COVID-19 and this year is no exception.
The Coalition of Muslim Women of KW (CMW) is asking the community to mobilize to make sure no one skips a meal.
Each year, CMW of KW seeks community spirit during Ramadan, the giving season.
Their Ramadan food drive supports Give30 in Waterloo Region by collecting donations and non-perishable food items for the Food Bank of Waterloo Region and Cambridge Food bank.
Give30 is a Canada-wide campaign that Muslim community members brought to Waterloo Region in 2017.
Give30 WR, through community effort, has raised close to $50,000 for local food banks since its launch five years ago. Participants can make donations online as well as collecting non-perishable food items.
“We do this during Ramadan because it is a month of compassion, kindness, generosity, and giving,” said Uzma Bhutto, program coordinator, Women Building Women at the CMW. "But food insecurity can plague anyone and throughout the year, so we want people of all faiths and backgrounds to join in the fight against food insecurity.
Give30's founding principle is that if we can give up something, for instance a Starbucks coffee for a month, the money we save can go toward feeding those in need.
“Everyone can participate in the spirit of Ramadan,” said Ziyaad Mian, founder of Give30. “Hunger knows no race, religion, ethnicity or creed.”
Give30WR partners include the CMW, African Family Revival Organization, Rohingya Centre of Canada, Islamic Humanitarian Services, Muslim Women of Cambridge, Women Empowerment Society, Pakistan Canada Association – Waterloo Wellington Counties, The Village at University Gates, The Food Bank of Waterloo Region and Cambridge Food Bank.
Give30WR is also a way for school boards and educators to show allyship for those experiencing food insecurity by launching food drives in their schools. Schools and faith-based organizations can create a donation page to track their progress here.
Or visit the Give30WR website donate to a local food bank online.
